Review Summary: Subtly powerful in that math rock kind of way.
According to boy wonder Mylets' Bandcamp page, "Mylets is Henry Kohen, Henry Kohen writes the music, Henry Kohen plays the instruments, Henry Kohen writes the words, Henry Kohen sings the words, Henry Kohen plays the songs live." Essentially, Mylets is the musical vision and emotional outlet for a single eighteen-year-old "guitar/loop pedal prodigy", and as such, embedded within his music notable amounts of creativity and passion. "Retcon" is a deceptively simple record, one that defies immediate characterization. Superficially, it is an alternative rock affair, but as standard for a Sargent House record, Mylets infuses his music with math rock elements and personality. The deceptively simple nature of Mylets' music is at odds with any mathy influence; Mr. Kohen shares his label with math rock giants Tera Melos and TTNG (formerly This Town Needs Guns), so those familiar with the genre will not be impressed at first.
The secret to enjoying "Retcon" is a focus on quality over quantity. Instead of gratuitously shredding, Mylets plays simple melodies that hit hard. When presented with effective buildups and crescendoing effects, the record fills out. Standout track "Hangover In Tehran" features multiple criss-crossing melodies laden with hooks and "Solid Gold Modesty Machine" contains addictively bouncy guitar lines. Kohen's vocals also stand out; his characteristic yelling rasps and grates, while still holding a tune and dripping with emotion. His lyricism is also reliably personable and relatable. But the spectacle lies not fully within the music. Simultaneously manning the drum machines, guitars, effect pedals, and microphone, Kohen is a sight to behold live. While caught amidst the music, one forgets that Mylets' stripped-down math rock is the product of one very young man.
